The History of WHUT

Howard University Television went on the air November 17, 1980 as WHMM. The station’s debut received considerable local and national attention as it was the first and only Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) member station licensed to and operated by a predominantly African-American institution, historic Howard University, Washington, DC.

The station’s first anniversary gala was hosted by Bill Cosby and attended by several prominent national leaders. Over the years, the station was hailed as a forum for local issues and for its unique original productions. By 1990, the station was producing a live weeknight edition of its flagship series, Evening Exchange. This series, now a weekly, has been airing for over 25 years.

The station’s signal reaches over 2 million households in the greater Washington metro area. In fall 2007, WHUT also began a digital simulcast to this viewing area, the ninth largest media market in the United States. WHUT has thousands of loyal viewers and donors who tune daily to its unique mix of PBS series such as NOVA, The American Experience, Sesame Street, and its original productions on local and national topics. Specials also highlight special events and renown speakers at Howard University, such as Cornel West, Toni Morrison and Nobel Laureate Ivar Giaever. WHUT airs more than 3,500 hours of public affairs and educational programming each year. WHUT has won 13 Emmys, and numerous other awards such as the Telly, Aurora, and Cine Golden Eagle.

Howard University is one of 48 U.S. private, doctoral/ research extensive universities and comprises 12 schools and colleges. Founded in 1867, the University offers studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Since 1998, the University has produced two Rhodes Scholars, a Truman Scholar, nine Fulbright Scholars and nine Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more African- American Ph.D.s than any other university in the world.